操る|あやつるayatsuru[3]nakadaka (mid-high)
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Definitions
- godan verb, transitive verbto operate (e.g. a machine); to handle; to manage; to control; to maneuver; to steer
- godan verb, transitive verbto have a good command of (a language); to play proficiently (of a musical instrument)
- godan verb, transitive verbto work (a puppet); to pull the strings of a puppet
- godan verb, transitive verbto manipulate (a person, public opinion, etc.); to pull the strings; to control from the shadows; to mastermind
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 操る（あやつる） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 操ります（あやつります） |
| Negative (nai) | 操らない（あやつらない） |
| polite (masen) | 操りません（あやつりません） |
| classical zu / nu | 操らず・操らぬ（あやつらず・あやつらぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 操った（あやつった） |
| polite (mashita) | 操りました（あやつりました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 操らなかった（あやつらなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 操りませんでした（あやつりませんでした） |
| Te form | 操って（あやつって） |
| Potential | 操れる（あやつれる） |
| Passive | 操られる（あやつられる） |
| Causative | 操らせる（あやつらせる） |
| Causative passive | 操らせられる・操らされる（あやつらせられる・あやつらされる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 操れば（あやつれば） |
| tara | 操ったら（あやつったら） |
| Volitional | 操ろう（あやつろう） |
| polite (mashou) | 操りましょう（あやつりましょう） |
| Imperative | 操れ（あやつれ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym操作そうさNeutralNoun for operating machines, or manipulating data to one's advantage, as in 「株価操作」; it stresses the act of handling rather than skill.
- Synonym操縦そうじゅうNeutralNoun for piloting aircraft or ships; it can also mean steering people's minds, but its core sense is driving or piloting.
- SynonymコントロールNeutralLoanword for controlling or managing something; broad in range and very common in colloquial speech.
- Related動かすうごかすNeutralTo move something or set it in motion; the broadest of these verbs, but it implies no skillful handling.
- Related踊らせるおどらせるNeutralVerb for inducing or deceiving people into acting as you want; derogatory. Unlike 「操る」, it never covers machines or languages.
- Related絡繰るからくるWrittenWritten word for devising mechanisms that make devices work, and for secretly manipulating people, with a conspiratorial shade; rare in modern use.
- Related踊らすおどらすNeutralTo manipulate or lead people around by trickery; synonymous with 「踊らせる」.
- Antonym従うしたがうNeutralTo obey orders or rules and follow others; the opposite of 「操る」 when it means manipulating people.
- Antonym服するふくするWrittenWritten word for submitting to or yielding to authority; the opposite of controlling others.
Use 「操る」 for skillfully handling machines or languages or pulling people's strings, as in 「三か国語を操る」「人形を操る」. For machines pick 「操作」, for piloting 「操縦」, for manipulating people 「踊らせる」, for control 「コントロール」; to obey is 「従う」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
